This letter was written by a 17 year old daughter of a Revolutionary War
Soldier. Jerusha (Jones) Monk (1778-1822) writes to her parents who
were living in Dorchester. At this time she was living with her Uncle
Peter Dickerman on Central Street in Stoughton. It would appear she is helping
with the family of Peter Dickerman in Stoughton. Jerusha would later marry in
1810 to George Monk a Revolutionary War Soldier from Stoughton.

Stoughton January ye 23d AD 1795

honoured parents I sit with pleasure to write

to you to let you know that we are all well here

and i hope these few lines will find you you and yours

to uncle was in boston last wednesday and he saw Nancy

and she was well uncle Peters family is well uncle

Jonathan lathrop was down here last weak and his

family was well then and lemuel is published

Please give my love to all my brothers and sisters

nehemiah send his love to you all do ask

billy and betsy to come up here at thanksgiving

Pleas to give my love to mises condon adviseing

her to take care of her muchuk do write to me

as often as you can do come and se me as soon as

you can my love to Jery

time calls so I must forbare

So I remain your dutiful daughter

Jerusha Jones

JERUSHA JONES, born at Dorchester, Massachusetts 18
November 1777; died at North Bridgewater (now Brockton), Massachusetts 27 August
1822, age 44 yrs., a daughter of Elijah and Jerusha (Dickerman) Monk
of Dorchester. Her marriage intention was filed at Stoughton 14 January
1810, and she was married there 1 March 1810 by Rev. Edward Richmond to GEORGE
MONK, born at Stoughton, Mass. 15 January 1764; died at Windsor,
Massachusetts 27 September 1834. George was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War and received a pension. Jerusha's death notice appeared in the Village
Register and Norfolk County Advertiser, Friday, 30 August 1822, p. 1: "In
North Bridgewater on Tuesday last, Mrs. Jerusha Monk, aged 44. Funeral
this day 3 o'clock, at the Rev. Mr. Huntington's Meeting-house."

Child:

i.
Jerusha Catherine Monk, bapt. at Stoughton 4 October 1812, and is mentioned in
her father's will in 1834.

A letter from Stoughton - May 4, 1833

The letter was written by Mary Fenno Crane Wales to her future husband
living in Hollis, New Hampshire, Samuel
Thomas Worcester (1804-1882). Mary was the daughter of a Revolutionary
War soldier Samuel Wales (1760-1845) and Mary (---) Wales (d.
between 1833-1836) of Stoughton. She was born there April 2, 1802; died
April 22, 1874. Mary and Samuel T. Worcester must have met while he was at
college at Harvard in the early 1830's. They were married May 13, 1835.
Samuel was the son of Revolutionary War Soldier Jesse Worcester (1761-1834) and
Sarah (Parker) Worcester (1762-1847). Samuel was born in Hollis, N.H.
August 30, 1804; and died in Nashua, N.H. December 6, 1882. Samuel
graduated Harvard University in 1830, and served later as U.S. Representative to
Ohio. The letter speaks of her mother not being well. And that
an Aunt Gill will be taking care of the ill mother soon. Also mention of a
Jackson family is mentioned about their treatment towards her. Samuel T.
Worcester would later become the author of History of the Town of Hollis, New
Hampshire From Its First Settlement to the Year 1879 with many Biographical
Sketches of It's Early Settlers, Their Descendants, & Other Residents.(Boston: A. Williams & Co., 1879). For a photograph of Mary
F. C. (Wales) Worcester, and an engraving of Samuel
Thomas Worcester. Click here for more genealogical information on Samuel
Thomas Worcester.

Stoughton May 4th 1833 -

My dear Samuel

My letter will necessarily be of huf to-day; for my time is much occupied and
has been so ever since I have been here, with Mother. I am however happy
to say that Mother is recovering, which as I had expected to inform you in this
letter that she was no more. She has been very ill. On Monday, if
nothing occurs to present Aunt Gill will take my place, and I shall on tuesday
return to Charlestown. I wish you to direct my letters to Boston, Care of
Samuel, for I do not know what may happen. It is now Saturday and I have
not received any from you this week, and should feel very anxious, did I not
recollect that you probably directed to Charlestown. I hope it is so, and
that you are well, and doing well. I have not learned to hear will perfect
calmness our separation, nor do I wish it. Sometimes I would I was more
stoical, and yet the thought of being less sensitive is not pleasant. I
long for a renewal of verbal intercourse, and August seems at very great
distance. But no more of I now -

The Jacksons carried out their coldness to the end. These "kind
officers" were not however much needed or found. All that has
happened is will. The principal super or regards it not, while he who is
done it and but, approves. You may expect a letter next week from
Charlestown in the mean time do not measure my affection for you by this
letter. You last was in regard to [---] and constructiveness, what I
wanted. You seem to doubt whether a journal would be interesting.
Nothing that regards yourself would be uninteresting to me. Have'nt you an
occasional thought that could set your pen in motion for me, if it is only to
tell me that you have not forgotten me. Let it be foolish. If every
thing of this kind is foolish, then I must write different letters to you - more
cold and formal. Shall I Remember to answer this question in your next.

Yours as ever

Mary F. C.

A letter from Stoughton - December 8, 1848

This letter was written by Shepard P. Briggs of Stoughton to Samuel Breck,
Esq. of Taunton, Massachusetts.

These letters were written by Rev.
Dr. Calvin Park of the First Congregational Church. He was born
at Northbridge, Mass. 11 September 1774; died at Stoughton, Mass. 5 January
1847. He graduated Brown University in 1797. First Congregational Church
1825-1840. He was first invited to preach to church in May 1825. Dr. Park was
installed as the first minister of the First Congregational Church 13
December 1826. He resigned the office 24 May 1840, however he continued
until Rev. Henry Eddy was installed 4 November 1840. This letter was written to Rev.
Willard Pierce of North Abington, Mass. accepting and later declining an
opportunity to preach. Rev. Park's health was declining and he died less
than two months after writing the second letter.

Stoughton Nov. 5, 1846

Rev. Mr. Pierce

Dear Sir,

I am sorry to hear of your

protracted sickness. I have no doubt that you ex-

perience the benefit of associated your heavenly

Father to with sent chastisement. Should you con-

tinue unable to preach to the first Sabbath in December

I will endeavour to preach to your people on that

day. If I should not be able to preach on account of

ill health or any other cause I will send you word in

season

Affectionately your sincere

friend & brother

Calvin Park

Stoughton Novr 20, 1846

Rev & dear Sir,

I have been unwell for several

weeks so much so as not to be able to attend

meeting on the Sabbath. In some respect I am

better, but there is no probability that I shall

be able to preach at present. I hope therefore you h

will make no dependence upon me to preach for

you the Sabbbath mentioned. At some future time

I hope I shall Deo volente [God be willing] have the pleasure

of conferring in you a favor equal in

value to the one which I must now withold

Affectionately your sincere friend,

C. Park

A letter from East Stoughton - October 30, 1848

This letter was written by H.
S. Leadbetter a young laborer to Ebenezer
Cushaman in
Paris
,
Maine. Leadbetter was living
with the Fessendon family and working in his shop in East Stoughton, 30 October
1848. This shop was located near the Railroad line to North Bridgewater (now
Brockton) as he speaks to the "cars" with much interest. This
letter includes the original spelling from this young laborer].

East StoughtonOct the 30 1848

I take my pen in my hand to write a few

lines to you and to let you no that i am well

and am taking first rate comfort here

to fesendonís.I am to work in to the schop

and git a long first rate, I like it very

well the [railroad] cars pass here 7 or 9 times a tay they

come within a half of a mile of us so neer

that we can see them.Nelsons
folx are all well

the last time that I heard from them

thare are two famileys liv in the house

with us if it want for that i should

like it much fitter, and four work in the

shop with me.I am in a hurry and
cant

write it verry well I want you to write it up

to me as soon as you git this tell

the boys down

thare that i should like to see them

and go to school to but that cant

be done i sole the stockings that you

sent up by me, if you git this under three

of four months you will do for i never

new you to get one less than that time

I do not hav to work evenings now

but I shall hav to lime by I like

to liv here very much ---

[p. 2]

Donít let enny body

See this will you

None of mister sturtevants

Folx

H. S. L.

H.

Leadbetter

[p. 3]

H. S. Leadbetter

a down Easter A down

Easter they call it down

East down to
Paris

Donít you let ennny body read

This letter will you for if you do

i will not write you a nother

one I shall be down theare

in 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

years, it was a dam long rode

up here rite soon

H.H

Leadbetter

A letter from East Stoughton - February 15, 1854

The letter was written by Mrs. Ann Amelia (Alden) Blanchard of East Stoughton
to her niece Miss Ann A. H. Alden of Turner Village,
Maine. Nine days after writing this letter Ann would give birth to her daughter
Flora Williams (Blanchard) Hathaway, b. Stoughton, Mass. 24 February 1854.

Ann Amelia (Alden) Blanchard, was born at Stoughton, Mass. 3 August 1826, the
daughter of Seth and Betsey A. (Littlefield) Alden. Ann was nineteen years
old when she became the second wife of the widower Isaac Blanchard (age 35).
They were
married at East Stoughton by Rev. Isaac Smith 9 May 1846. The following letter in my collection discusses the problems of measles,
and dysentery that had hit East Stoughton during the past year. Also Mrs.
Blanchard discusses the benefits and disadvantages of niece seeking to teach in
Stoughton. At the time of the 1910 Census Mrs. Ann Blanchard was living
with her son Isaac Blanchard at 15 Main St., Avon [formerly East Stoughton],
Massachusetts. She died at Avon on 27 February 1912, aged 85 yrs. 6 mos. 24
dys., and was buried at the Union Cemetery in Brockton, Massachusetts.

East Stoughton Feb 15th (54)

Dear Niece

I hasten to answer your letter which I recieved [sic] yesterday. I
was very happy to hear from you and to hear that your family were well.
Your friends here are well as usual except Seth's oldest child, he is
very sick indeed he had an attach of what they call the dysentery a few weeks
since, but got better and is now taken down again, they think the cause is
worms, he is very weak indeed, I should think the chance for him to recover was
rather small, still it is possible he may.

The measles have spread here this winter pretty througher [sic] they
have had them in Mrs. Algers family in Southards and Judsons
they have generally been pretty light but there has hardly any one escaped that
had not had them before. Mrs Alger has removed from where she
foremerly [sic] loved into a small house she has bough on the street that
heads to the depot from Uncle Davis, your father will know where it
is. In regards to what you requested of me I will say that the agents are
not chosen in either District to procure teachers they do not usually have a
school meeting for that purpose untill [sic] about the 1st of April, the
winter schools have not yet closed. I would also say that I think the
schools here could be rather large to undertake for your first one the primary
Department in our District averages from fifty to sixty scholars and the Grammar
Department nearly as may I do not know so much about the number of scholars in
the other districts but it has the name of being a very difficult school to
manage. I should be happy to see you and assist you in procuring a school
here for they pay great wages to expierenced [sic] teachers. I
should think from 3 and half to 4 dollars a week, the schools are also very
long, they generally calculate to have school about nine months in a year.
I would say all I could to encourage you to teach but have written just what I
should advise a daughter of my own that is for a first attempt not undertake one
as large as in our districts but you must write me again soon I will not delay
answering as long again. Remember me to all your Fathers family and also
to your Grandfather's family. Ada wants me to send her love to all the
folks yours Affectionately

Ann A. Blanchard

A letter from Stoughton -
December 2, 1855

The letter was written by nineteen year old Henri L. Johnson (1836-1927)
of Stoughton
to his cousin Miss Melissa T. Lamb of Waukegan, Lake Co., Illinois.

Henri
L. Johnson, born at Stoughton August 8, 1836, a son of Lewis and Esther
(Talbot) Johnson. Johnson was a noted local Historian, a pioneer Shoe
Manufacturer, and highly honored citizen of Stoughton.this town, passed away
early Friday evening, at his home, 224 Lincoln street, after succumbing to a
stroke which he received a few days ago, that followed weeks of failing health.
He died at his home at 224 Lincoln St., Stoughton in 1927 at the age of 91
years..

Stoughton
Mass. Sunday Decd2 / 55

My dear cousin

The sheet that I have selected is rather small but would probably contain more
news than I am able to write you. I received your letter rather sooner
than I had anticipated one and have delayed the answer on account of
Thanksgiving and the attending circumstances in order to it. Perhaps as a
substitute for an incomprehensible complication of compiled nonsense which would
have to be the alternative a few observations with regard to Thangsgiving [sp]
in the east might be interesting. Not in accordance with the proclamation
of his Excellency is the day observed. I do not import bad motives two any
one from this fact. There are some who heed his advice whether he acts the
principl;e with which he advises others and in "attitude of prayer"
devoutly returns thanks I know not. With those who are honest and
conciencious this is consistent I suppose a similar proclamation would be issued
if he had just suffered from a universal famine. However let that
pass. Had I time and space to record the preliminary arrangements for this
eventful day I could show you by how many his edict is unobserved. During
the week preceding thousands of half starved turkies suffered - decapitation,
were stripped of their feathers and offered for sale at the modest price of
twenty five cents per lb and every thing else in this ration, thus placing them
above the reach of many who were enjoined to return thanks for the bountiful
supply of that which they could not have. To the many it is a day of
pleasure. And as such until such speculating merchants as out present R.N.
Excellency, shall by fair reduction place the staff of life within the reach of
the honest and laboring poor I recomend it to all if he longer. To me the
idea is absurd, to think, of men who putting an advance price of thirty or fifty
per cent on the producers price or the first cost will offer it for sale to a
man who is unable to buy it and then askd [sp] him to return thanks for
the favor. Well so the worlds wags. I menat to have written of the
occupation of the day and evening the almost insumerable dancing parties etc.
and not imposed quite such serious meditations upon you. But having
written I shall send it and thereby submit it to your consideration.

Yours, Henri L. Johnson

A letter from Stoughton - September 5, 1858

The letter was written by Susan Chapman (Blazo) Leavitt while living
in Stoughton. Susan was the grandmother of the author Robert Keith Leavitt
(1895-1967) who wrote about her life living in Stoughton in the book
"The Chip on Grandma's Shoulder" in 1954. This book
accounted the events of Susan's life in Stoughton when she lived with her son Robert
Greenleaf Leavitt (1865-1942) a Harvard Graduate and Botanist. The
names of the actual character's in the book are changed, but a copy at the
Stoughton Historical Society gives the actual names of the residents.

The photograph of Susan (in the center) late in life is through the
courtesy
from her great-grand daughter Mary Freeman of Maine. The photo from the book
cover of "The Chip on Grandma's Shoulder" by Susan's grandson Robert
Keith Leavitt (1954) has a artistic sketh of Susan to the left. The photo
of Robert Tibbets Blazo is the school teacher, and father of Susan mentioned in
the letter.

Susan was born at Parsonsfield, Maine 16 February 1839 at the Blazo
family homestead (now listed on the National Register of Historic
Places). Susan was a daughter of Robert
Tibbetts Blazo and Mary (Freeman) Blazo. She married 6
March 1858 to Rev. John Greenleaf Leavitt (1834-1885). Her husband
Greenleaf served as a school principal at the Parsonfield Academy in 1861, and
was later a minister. Susan died at her home in North Parsonsfield, Maine 13
February 1922.

This letter mentions "Greenleaf and I have been to see the new
cemetery today.It is being laid out
in a kind of a forest" they are discussing the early history of the
Evergreen Cemetery on Washington St. (Route 138) and Gay St. This
letter was obtained for sale on the internet in August, 2005 by the webmaster
from a dealer in Dearborn, Michigan.

Stoughton
Mass.
Sept. 5/ 58

Dear Friends at Home,

I received motherís letter last Tues. and was very glad glad
to get it as I am every thing that comes from home. I am glad to hear from week
to week that you are all well and doing well.I am glad that quilt is done though I dont expect to need it now if we
come back to P[arsonsfield]. as we are thinking about.I shall be very glad to see you all again, and the home place and indeed
everything & everybody that belongs to
North Parsonsfield.

We are well and doing well Greenleaf and William work every
Day and donít spend their money for amusement of which there

are
a great plenty here. Greenleaf and I have been to see the new cemetery
today.It is being laid out in a
kind of a forest.An artificial pond
is mostly completed and many lots are laid out. Some of them contain
beautiful monuments, many have flowers and trees.I saw a number

of
graves with pots a of gathered flowers in the heads of them.Two little graves had shells placed in circles on them.We supposed they were the childrenís playthings when living.It will be a beautiful place when completed.

Arolyn and I are studying Algebra a little. We think of Studying
something else.Father I Wish you W
would send G[reenleaf]

Latin
grammar if you can without costing anything; we want to be studying it this fall
so we shall not forget.

I suppose our preserves are Doing well, and the rabbits.

I am some tired and Sleepy or I would write you More.I suppose the pri[n]cipal Thing is to know that we are well Ė